Evolution of Fentanyl Prescription Patterns and Administration Routes in Primary Care in Salamanca, Spain: A Comprehensive Analysis from 2011 to 2022

(1) Background: The escalating use of opioids contributes to social, health, and economic crises. In Spain, a notable surge in the medical prescription of opioids in recent years has been observed. The aim of this work was to assess the consumption rate of fentanyl, categorised by the different admi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Healthcare (Basel) 2024-08, Vol.12 (16), p.1619
Main Authors: Torres-Bueno, Cristina, Sanchez-Barba, Mercedes, Miron-Canelo, Jose-Antonio, Gonzalez-Nunez, Veronica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictions
Analgesics
Cancer therapies
Chronic illnesses
consumption
DHD
Dosage and administration
Drug abuse
Evaluation
Fentanyl
Forecasts and trends
Intensive care
Local anesthesia
Management
Morphine
Narcotics
Observatories
opioids
Pain
Pharmaceuticals
Prescriptions
Primary care
Primary health care
transdermal route
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Summary:(1) Background: The escalating use of opioids contributes to social, health, and economic crises. In Spain, a notable surge in the medical prescription of opioids in recent years has been observed. The aim of this work was to assess the consumption rate of fentanyl, categorised by the different administration routes, in Primary Care in the province of Salamanca (Spain) spanning the years 2011 to 2022, and to compare it with the national trend and with data from the US. (2) Methods: Doses per inhabitant per day (DHD) were calculated, and interannual variations, as well as consumption rates, were subject to thorough analysis. (3) Results: The prevalence of fentanyl use in Salamanca has doubled from 1.21 DHD in 2011 to 2.56 DHD in 2022, with the transdermal system (TD) as the predominant administration route. This upward trajectory mirrors the national trend, yet the rise in fentanyl use is markedly lower than the reported data in the US. This finding may be attributed to an ageing population and potentially inappropriate fentanyl prescriptions, i.e., for the management of chronic non-cancer pain and other off-label prescriptions. (4) Conclusions: The use of fentanyl in Salamanca, particularly through transdermal systems, doubled from 2011 to 2022, aligning with the national trend. Preventive measures are imperative to prevent fentanyl misuse and moderate the observed escalation in consumption rates.
ISSN:2227-9032
2227-9032
DOI:10.3390/healthcare12161619